Muslim Holy Period Marks Time For Reflection, Prayer

New Crescent Moon Signals Ramadan, A Month Of Sacrifice

March 05, 1992|By LISA DANIELS Daily Press

HAMPTON — After sundown Wednesday, several groups of Muslims in the United States went outside and looked into the sky. They were seeking a new crescent moon, which would mark the beginning of Ramadan, their annual month of fasting.

The sliver appeared late Wednesday and the fasting will begin on Friday.

Ramadan is one of the Muslims' holiest periods of the year, a time during which Muslims are commanded by Allah to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex from sunrise to sunset. In addition, during the month, which lasts 29 or 30 days, they say an extra prayer every evening.

FOR THE RECORD - Published correction ran Friday, March 6, 1992. An article in Thursday's Local section incorrectly said that Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, begins today. Ramadan began Thursday.

"We do it because we are commanded by God to do it in our holy book, the Koran," said Ahmed Noor, president of the Mosque and Islamic Center of Hampton Roads in Hampton. "It shows a love of God beyond words."

The sacrifices made during the month not only demonstrate a Muslim's faith to Allah, but teaches discipline, patience, self-control, and empathy for the poor and hungry, said Noor.

"It is a rigorous training program, an overhaul for the person," said Noor. "God gives us the opportunity to improve ourselves during this month."

During the month, Muslims are directed to work on bettering themselves in the next year. They are not to lie, lust, or disobey any of the laws of the Koran, said Noor.

"You start essentially thinking about everything that you do," said Noor.

"It is not a new year, but it is a new beginning."

The period traditionally begins with the sighting of the new moon during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar year. Ramadan is said to be the month when the Koran was revealed to the prophet Mohammed.

So that all Muslims in North America begin Ramadan at the same time, the Islamic Society of North America, based in Plainfield, Ind., makes the official determination, based on astronomical data and sightings, of when the new moon has started. Local mosque officials, in turn, inform their members, so all know to eat before sunrise the next day.

At the end of the month, the Muslims break their fast with a feast called Eid Al-Fitr.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam which provide the framework of Muslim spiritual life. Other pillars include the declaration of faith, the five daily prayers, the giving of alms to the poor and the pilgrimage to Mecca.